Often overlooked on the African travel map, Gabon is a biodiversity hotspot known for its pristine rainforest, lowland gorillas, forest elephants, and world-class fishing. With a small population and vast protected landscapes, Gabon delivers an off-the-beaten-path wildlife experience unlike anywhere else in Africa.
My journey to Gabon began when I took on a role with the Aspinall Foundation, working on gorilla rewilding and elephant conservation in Bateke Plateau National Park. There I lived with a small team in the jungle for six months, bathing in the river, sometimes accompanied by elephants and gorillas. I explored remote river systems, tracked wildlife through dense rainforest, and discovered why Gabon offers one of the most unique travel and wildlife experiences in Africa.
It is largely unknown to tourists but holds a very special place in my heart. It is home to people, places and experiences that cemented my deep love for Africa and where I decided to pursue my passion for travel and adventure.
A Land Dominated by Rainforest
Gabon is slightly larger than the UK, yet around 80% of the country is covered in rainforest. With a population of just 2.5 million, these forests have been left largely intact, allowing wildlife to thrive on a scale rarely seen elsewhere in Africa.
The Gabonese rainforest offers a completely unique wildlife experience. It is home to a thriving population of western lowland gorillas, best encountered in Loango NationalPark. Sightings are never guaranteed, but when you do find yourself in their presence, it is both breathtaking and humbling.
Gabon is also home to the only truly habituated population of mandrills in the world, found in Lékédi Park. This area also functions as a gorilla orphanage and plays a vital role in the Aspinall Foundation’s rewilding efforts.
Moving quietly through the forest, you may catch sight of forest elephants, smaller and straighter-tusked than their savannah relatives, slipping silently through dense jungle. These gentle giants are often seen bathing and playing in Gabon’s rivers and estuaries. On rare occasions, they even wander out onto emptyAtlantic beaches, sometimes accompanied by hippos bobbing in the surf.
Yet for me, some of the most powerful moments came not from the large mammals, but from slowing down.Watching ants and termites build intricate networks beneath my feet. Seeing flashes of brilliantly coloured butterflies drifting through shafts of light.Looking up into the canopy to find monkeys leaping between branches while birdsong blends seamlessly with the rustling leaves. The forest is alive in every direction.
World-Class Fishing in Untouched Waters
For keen anglers, Gabon should be firmly on your bucket list. The country is renowned for its fly and spin fishing, offering the chance to cast from completely untouched beaches for powerful, aggressive game fish.
Its nutrient-rich estuary systems are equally impressive, providing opportunities to catch a range of unique West African species. In Sette Cama, the fishing experience feels almost unreal, remote beaches, dense jungle, and not another soul in sight.
What makes Gabon truly special is the diversity of experiences you can combine in a single day. A morning spent fishing can easily be followed by an afternoon trekking in search of chimpanzees or gorillas. There are very few places left in the world where this feels possible.
It also makes Gabon an ideal destination for mixed groups. Even those who aren’t die-hard fishermen will find plenty to captivate them.
Why Gabon Should Be onYour Radar
If you’re looking to explore Africa off the beaten track, are passionate about fishing, or simply want a wildlife experience that feels raw, remote, and deeply authentic, Gabon is hard to rival.
I fell in love with the country and its people during my short time living there, and I have no doubt it leaves the same lasting impression on everyone who visits.
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